The Africa – EU partnership is one of the key priorities of the EU Commission. The EIB is one the major investors for sustainable infrastructure in Africa. As close neighbours, the two continents have massive opportunities for cooperation, especially in the field of energy, and not only in solar, but in all renewable energy technologies. The African continent is set to experience strong economic and population growth within the next decade and it is in both continents’ interest to steer that economic growth towards a green transition. At the same time, the lack of access to clean energy is still considered the biggest obstacle to economic and social justice. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the growing urgency of the climate crisis show at the same time how interdependent Africa and Europe are. This panel explores ways to strengthen the partnership between Africa and Europe and the role of the EIB and solar energy.